The health-related Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) 2015: Rwanda performance and contributing factors

INTRODUCTION: The Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) 2015 are the eight international development goals adopted by the Millennium Summit of the United Nations in 2000 to which Rwanda is signatory. In 1990, Rwanda was at least one of the Sub-Saharan Africa countries with poor performance on health-related MDGs indicators. To date, despite the setbacks caused by the 1994 genocide, impressive performance is registered. The objective of the study is to document Rwanda gradual progress to achieving the health-related MDGs 2015 targets from 1990 to 2014/2015. METHODS: The study is retrospective and comparative documenting the period of 1990 to 2014/15. RESULTS: The performance of Rwanda on health-related MDGs 2015 targets is impressive despite the negative effects of the 1990-1994 civil wars and the 1994 genocide against Tutsi on 1990's levels. In effect, out of 17 health-related MDGs indicators, eleven (11) registered “remarkable” performances, i.e. reached global levels or fastened Vision 2020 targets attainment, two (2) registered “good performances”, i.e. reached basic or revised own targets exhibiting overall impressive performance, while four (4) “weaknesses” are observed, i.e. accused gaps until now. The good governance, Vision 2020 effective implementation, consistent resources invested in health sector and the Rwanda Universal Health Coverage implementation contributed greatly to achieving the above health-related MDGs 2015 performance. CONCLUSION: Rwanda performance of health-related MDGS 2015 targets is impressive. However, some relative gaps still persist, and hence should be prioritized while implementing the emerging Sustainable Development Goals.